The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, as the third Private Member’s Motion today, I second the Hon. Ravi Karunanayake’s motion. Though long recognized, we still struggle to address it properly. Many who cannot enter university after O/Ls and A/Ls attend vocational institutes where they are trained, including how to become entrepreneurs. We must assess whether failures stem from institutional inefficiencies, curricular gaps, or youth mindsets.

¶ 02 We should re-orient social attractiveness towards entrepreneurship and skilled trades, as Korea did—once seen as low-income, now thriving through upskilling and entrepreneurship. We should localize manufacturing: even if we cannot make every component, we can assemble imported inputs, build capability, and export.

¶ 03 We must start from primary education. It is too late after O/Ls, A/Ls, or tertiary to change mindsets. Countries like Australia and Israel show agriculture can be high-income and attractive. The Government should create curricula and pathways that make such sectors appealing, aligning education, skills, and opportunity.

¶ 04 The cost of living outpaces incomes; people struggle to live on wages. I trust the Government will present feasible programmes to address these realities. I thank Hon. Ravi Karunanayake and conclude.

¶ 05 Question proposed.